Pennsylvania based snack maker Bachman Co. announced Saturday that it has sold its brands and certain assets to Utz Quality Foods Inc., Hanover, York County.
Brands such as Bachman, Jax, Thin'n Right and Chipitos, distribution rights to the brands and an Ephrata plant are part of the sale.
No purchase price was disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the next 30 days, according to a statement from Utz.
Scott Carpenter, Bachman president, said the company will change its name to Savor Street Foods Inc. and retain its Hyde Park plant.
Carpenter said he will be president of Savor Street and his executive team will remain intact.
Carpenter said Saturday that the company has about 185 employees.
"There will be a minor reduction in jobs initially," Carpenter said. "But the plan is to add jobs over the short course. Put it this way: Most all employees are going to have an opportunity for a job with Savor, Utz or one of their distribution partners."
After the sale, about 40 employees at the Ephrata plant and another 25 in distribution will be under the direction of Utz, Carpenter said.
But he said both companies are excited about their potential growth.
"It's going to narrow our focus and make a simpler business model," Carpenter said of Savor Street.
Savor Street will continue to produce certain Bachman products for Utz and now will make Utz items. Savor Street also will develop Bachman's private-label business.
Bachman, owned by the family of the late Joseph Welch, was established more than 125 years ago. Utz is a privately owned and family managed company founded in 1921.
